Of shadows praying still that others' prayers
Might hasten forward their own blessedness,
I thus began: “Thy page, my Light! declares
Expressly, in one text, that Heaven's decree
To no beseeching bendeth.[214] Yet this race
Prays with such purpose: will their praying be
Without avail? or have I in that place
Misread thy word?” He answered: “It is gross
And plain to reason: no fallacious hope
Is theirs, if thy sound mind consider close;